MKMEA Conference: A Retrospective

Spend a few days learning general music strategies using the Kodály pedagogy from experts in the profession. Session topics include learning centers, choral music reading sessions, music technology, sequencing, instrumental techniques, differentiated instruction, global music, creativity and more. The Honor Choir will be directed by Frank Gallo. For the past two decades Dr. Gallo has been studying, performing, and teaching across the United States and Europe. In 2002 he studied at the Zoltán Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. He has taught at numerous universities in the United States and is often a guest clinician. Other clinicians include Jo Kirk, Julie Swank, Nyssa Brown, Karla Cherwinski, Sandy Mathias, Brent Gault, Tom Michalek and Bruce Swank. The keynote speaker is Aileen Miracle, veteran teacher in Columbus Ohio and current MKMEA president.

Make the most of your MKMEA experience! Earn 1 semester hour of graduate credit attending clinic sessions and concerts. Students must attend 12.5 clock hours of clinic sessions and concerts for one credit. A notebook summarizing and critiquing all sessions and concerts attended, including copies of all handouts, concert programs, and other supporting materials, must be submitted no later than November 29, 2013. Sample notebooks will be available upon request at the VanderCook booth located in the MKMEA exhibit area at the DoubleTree hotel in Arlington Heights. Participants must register for the conference at cake.oake.org.

Coordinator: Rick Palese

Rick Palese joined the administrative team at VanderCook in July 2010, however his relationship with the institution goes back much further. Rick is a VanderCook alumnus, having earned his B.M.Ed. in 2003, and M.M.Ed. in 2008.

Prior to being hired at VanderCook, Rick taught for seven years at Prairie Hill School in Cary, IL, where he directed both 5th and 6th grade bands. While at Prairie Hill, Rick also sponsored Jazz Club, Podcasting Club, and assisted with 6th grade musical productions and school assemblies.

Rick is an avid percussionist and maintains an active teaching studio at Absolute Music in Geneva, IL. He is a member of the Hudson Music Teacher Integration Project, and Vic Firth Education Team.